45°
WHITE PLAINS, N.Y. -- Kia Matthews of the Bronx joined dozens of dancers at Church Street Elementary School Wednesday raising money for the school one step at a time.
"It releases stress," Matthews, 21, a communications major at Manhattanville college, said of the weekly Zumba classes at Church Street. "It's just fun."
Church Street's Parent Teacher Association began hosting its second season of Zumba classes in the school's gym Oct. 16. The six-week course taught by the St. Bartholomew's-based Z8 Fitness staff leads dancers through an hour of Latin-inspired routines tailored for fitness.
The classes are $10 each or $50 for the six-week package.
Sandy Daly, vice president of the Church Street PTA, said the Zumba fundraiser has raised $1,300 in its first three weeks this winter.
"We're very happy it's so successful," said Daly. "The reason they're coming back has a lot to do with the instructors. They're phenomenal."
The PTA offers free childcare for parents who wish to participate in the 7:30 to 8:30 p.m. class on Wednesdays. All proceeds go towards gym equipment, new books, fieldtrips and other school-related spending.
"There's been a lot of budget cuts so, for example, if they come to us and say we need balls for the gymnasium we help with that," said Daly.
Z8 weaved four instructors, Brandyn Guzman, Samantha Furci, Michael Rivera and Melissa Lopez, throughout the nearly 50 attendees Wednesday night. The Z8 team hosts monthly fundraisers to benefit local charities such as Grace Community Church.
"Zumba is all about giving back to you, so it all comes back to the Zumba family," said Furci, 34 of Rye Brook. "It's based in Latin rhythm but it incorporates other rhythms. It's just a workout in disguise."
Have you ever attending Zumba at Church Street? Join the conversation below.
Click here to follow Daily Voice White Plains and receive free news updates.
